Millennials love to travel — and apparently, we really love to cruise. Derek and Kelly sit down with cruise expert and travel consultant Pam Sanzo (Pamrock Inspired / Cruise Brothers) for a deep dive into everything you need to know before booking your next vacation. From how to actually save money on a cruise to whether the drink package is worth it, this one is packed with real, practical advice from someone who has been in the industry for 30 years.

They cover what to book early (and why waiting for a deal is usually a mistake), how to pick the right cruise line for your travel style, what NOT to skip on a private island stop, and the travel hacks that could save you from showing up to your ship with nothing but a backpack.

Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this episode will help you travel smarter — and spend less.

Topics covered:

• Why you should use a travel agent instead of booking online

• Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian vs. Virgin — who wins for which traveler

• The truth about the cruise drink package (the math might surprise you)

• Group cruise rates and what perks you actually unlock

• Shoulder season travel and when Caribbean deals actually happen

• Private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay — hype or worth it?

• Kids clubs, family cruising, and tips for traveling with children

• Travel hacks: carry-on packing, passport tips, and arriving a day early

• River cruises, Alaska itineraries, and exotic destinations for the bucket list

Want to reach Pam? Here is her website: https://pamroc.cruisebrothers.com/cb/

Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We went to Reddit so you don't have to.

Derek and Kelly (plus producer Justin, making a rare on-mic appearance) pulled the most common financial questions people are actually asking on Reddit and answered them straight. No jargon. No vague advice. Just real answers.

In this episode:

What's the right amount to spend on a car? (Kelly just bought a Rivian, so we're starting here)

Student loans vs. 401k — where does your money go first?

What actually happens to your 401k when you change jobs?

Building an emergency fund when you're living paycheck to paycheck

How to talk to your partner about money without it turning into a fight

What does a financial planner actually do — and do you even need one?

Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 35?

How to start investing with only $100 a month Individual stocks vs. index funds — what the numbers actually say

Real estate vs. index funds: the "it depends" answer Is it worth buying a home right now with these interest rates?

How to negotiate your salary (including the advice nobody talks about) $30,000 in credit card debt — where do you even start?

Is life insurance worth it if you don't have kids?

If you've ever typed a financial question into Reddit and gotten 47 conflicting answers, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Millennial Money Matters is hosted by Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner, Mortgage loan officer

📩 Have a question for a future episode? Drop it in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Millennial Money Matters just got a visit from someone who might be running the most relatable business for parents right now.

Kim Conti is the founder of Orbit Crates, a toy rental subscription that delivers curated toys to families with kids ages 0-6. Think of it like Netflix for toys. 500 titles to choose from, doorstep delivery, swap whenever the kids are done. No clutter. No waste. No more stepping on the same Fisher-Price toy for 18 months.

But this episode isn't just about toys. It's about what actually happens when you leave a corporate job to chase a dream, with three kids at home and a finite cash runway staring you down.

Kim gets into the real stuff: how she and her husband drew a hard line on business and personal finances, why she spent her first six months raising non-dilutive startup capital instead of running the business, and what it actually feels like to be the business owner who's also the marketer, the operator, and the one packing boxes in her spare room. (The kids are not allowed in that room.)

Derek and Kelly weigh in on the financial side of the founder journey: when to reinvest in the business versus pull money out, why too many entrepreneurs skip the tax professional until it's too late, the LLC structure mistakes that quietly cost business owners serious money, and how cash flow planning changes everything when revenue isn't predictable month to month.

Also: Great Wolf Lodge is basically a wet kids casino. You heard it here first.

https://orbitcrates.com/

Reach out to Kim Conti at kim@orbitcrates.com, Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.